Depending on the jurisdiction in which you reside the requirements and the steps that you will have to take to file a lawsuit against the person who owns the dog that has bitten you may vary. The one common requirement is speed, as there is a statute of limitations on suing for personal injury you must act quickly. Once you have received the necessary medical attention you are wise to contact a dog bite attorney in Philadelphia who can begin the process of filing a lawsuit which often starts with the court issuing a summons.
One thing that must not be understated when you are filing a dog bite lawsuit is speed of action. In most jurisdictions there is a statute of limitations that applies to filing suit for any personal injury claims, which is what a dog bite is. Although the time limit varies, if you hire your dog bite attorney in Philadelphia and file the claim soon after the event you can be assured that you will be well within the limit.
To file a claim that has a good chance of success it is important that everything is fully documented. You can advise the owner of the dog what your intended actions are and of course, file a police report. A police report on any incident is an important document that serves as substantiation of your claim in court. If there were any witnesses to the event try to get at least their personal details and even better if you can get them to provide a written statement as to what they witnessed.
Any records from medical care are also important. When you have been bitten by a dog you will want to seek medical care, this will ensure that the resulting wounds are cleaned properly. When you receive care the institution or the medical practitioner will create a record that accurately describes the extent of the damage and the treatment that you received. If you fail to take a copy of these documents with you after treatment your dog bite attorney in Philadelphia can get copies for use in court.
It is prudent to seek advice and assistance from a seasoned attorney when filing a dog bite lawsuit. Your attorney can gather all important documents that can be used to substantiate your claim; these documents are the key to a successful outcome. There are a number of steps that must be taken to see a successful outcome of your lawsuit, your attorney knows the ins and outs of the law and fully understands how to best prepare a case that will give the best chance of a successful outcome.
